And Zidane - who revealed he plans to quit football when his contract at the Bernabeu expires in three years' time - admitted it capped his second most memorable moment in football after winning the World Cup with France in 1998.

I took the cross from Roberto Carlos on the volley, slammed it and it went in

Zinedine Zidane

He said: "After winning the World Cup, this is the most important thing for me, because for any player who competes at club level, this is very special.

"It is the most important trophy a club can win.

"I have not won the Champions League before, and after the World Cup this comes a close second.

"My goal was very nice, but the most important thing was that we won. It has brought me and the team great satisfaction.

Zidane added: "I took the cross from Roberto Carlos on the volley, slammed it and it went in.

"It was very nice - but it was even nicer that we won."

The France superstar then turned his attention to the summer showpiece in Korea and Japan, where he will be hoping to help his country retain the trophy they won in 1998.

Zidane scored twice in France's 3-0 win against Brazil in the World Cup final, and he said: "The most important priority was to win the Champions League with Real Madrid.

"We have done that and it is now time to think about the World Cup.

"I hope this is going to be the start of success for myself with club and country."

Carlos (left) and goalscorer Zidane celebrate victory

Zidane also pledged his future to Real, but said he will retire when his deal finishes, declaring: "I won't be going back to Italy because Real is the champion of all the clubs.

"I have signed a contract for four years, then that will be it - I will have a peaceful life with my family."

Bayer Leverkusen coach Klaus Toppmoller admitted he was devastated by the defeat, which left his club empty-handed after finishing runners-up in the German league and cup.

He said: "Sometimes football is very cruel and we hurt.

"It is desperately painful to put in all the sweat and all the effort - and all the time - and end with nothing.

"I am still proud, but it hurts us all so much because we were so committed.

"In the last 10 minutes it was happening, happening, happening - but we couldn't score.

"We can spend all the time on the training ground planning for Real's tactics, but then something special happens that you cannot plan for and in this case it was Zidane's goal.

"But we won't take this lying down and we have shown this season what good players and what a good team we have."